DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 151 



Dictyosperma fibrosum. Madagascar Piassaba. 



Endogen. Palmae. 



A species of palm, known as Vonitra, inhabiting the island of Madagascar, the 

 trunk of which is densely covered with brownish fibers about 18 inches long, formed 

 from the inner sheaths and the edges of the petioles. 



Structural Fiber. — Individual fibers finer and more flexible than Brazilian pias- 

 saba and slightly shorter; in other respects resemble it closely. The quantity pro- 

 duced was never very large, and in the early stages of the enterprise the fiber was 

 shipped in a very rough, uncombed state. Latterly the quality has much improved, 

 and during the period when this class of fiber commanded specially high prices the 

 shipments were probably remunerative. Owing, however, to the discovery of west 

 Africa piassaba, or "bass fiber," obtained from Raphia vinifera, the prices obtained 

 for Madagascar piassaba have apparently fallen almost as low as the cost of produc- 

 tion; and little has appeared lately in the London market. (Kew Bull., Oct., 1894.) 



Well-combed, straight, and clean fiber is worth in England £30 to £46 per ton. 

 Has almost entirely disappeared from the market. 



Diplothemium littorale. Yatay pony. 



A species of palm found in Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones), from the leaves of 

 which a good fiber is produced (Niederlein). 



Dirca palustris. Moosewood. 



Exogen. Thymela'acecv. A shrub. 



This species is found in the northern portions of the United States and Canada. 

 It does not yield fiber in any sense, though its flexible twigs, which can be readily 

 tied in knots, are employed as thongs. Also called leatherwood and wicopy. The 

 Department collection contains specimens of the leathery twigs. 



D. occidentalis is a California species. Dr. Havard writes that its strong, tough, 

 fibrous bark was formerly much used by the Indians for ropes, nets, and baskets. 



* Specimen. — Mus. U. S. Dept. Ag. 



Dishcloth plant (see Luff a). 

 Diss (Alg.). See Ampelodesma tenax. 

 Djai-soi (Borneo). Cocos nucifera. 

 Dodo cloth (see Apocynum). 

 Dolichandrone falcata. 



Family Bignoniacece. A small tree of central and southern India, used for timber, 

 and also in pharmacy, a decoction being made from its fruits. 



Bast Fiber. — Both D. falcata and J), rheedii yield blackish, coarse bark fibers. 

 Specimens of the first named were sent to the Amsterdam Exhibition. 



Dolichos trilobus. 



Exogen. Legnminosce. A bush. 

 The genus has representatives throughout the temperate and tropical regions of 

 America, Asia, and Africa. They are herbaceous or shrubby plants, or beans, many 

 having twining stems. While chiefly valuable as food plants, some species are valued 

 for their fiber. "D. trilobus is a very important fiber plant in China, textiles made 

 from it being termed grass cloth, like those from nettle fiber. It has been utilized 

 from earliest times, and the manufacture is extensive." (Spon.) Several species of 

 Dolichos grown in India are described in full by Dr. George Watt, but no mention is 

 made of their yielding fiber. See Pachurliizns angulatus, the revised name of the plant, 

 D. trilobus having been used in this instance as Spon's name. 



